Fort Myers in Lee County, Florida — The American South (South Atlantic)

Edison Botanic Research Laboratory

Edison and Ford Winter Estates

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, August 1, 2025

1. Edison Botanic Research Laboratory Marker

Inscription. Built in 1928, this laboratory was designed with one purpose in mind: to find a natural source of rubber that could be grown in the United States. Divided into six sections, parts of the laboratory operated similarly to an assembly line, with critical tasks being performed in each area.
A Plant Grinding Room
B Chemical Processing Area
C Extraction & Distillation Apparatus
D Machine Shop
E Dark Room
F Laboratory Office
(captions)
Above: Exterior of the Edison Botanic Research Corporation Laboratory in the 1930's. Note the adjacent chemical storage vault constructed of Edison Portland Cement.

Did You Know? This laboratory was designed by Fort Myers architect Nat Gaillard Walker, who also designed the adjacent cement vault and several of the residential structures at the estate.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Agriculture • Horticulture & Forestry • Science & Medicine. A significant historical year for this entry is 1928.

Location. 26° 38.059′ N, 81° 52.757′ W. Marker is in Fort Myers, Florida, in Lee County. It is on McGregor Boulevard 0.1 miles

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north of Llewellyn Drive, on the right when traveling north. Located on the grounds of the Edison and Ford Winter Estates on the laboratory side of the complex. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 2351 McGregor Boulevard, Fort Myers FL 33901, United States of America. Touch for directions.

Regionally, this marker is on Florida’s Gulf Coast.

It is also in the American South

and on the Gulf Coast.

Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region,

North America,

a Gulf of Mexico state,

the Western Hemisphere,

the Western World,

and the Anglosphere.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Spain,

the territory of the Mississippian Culture,

one of the Confederate States of America,

and the Antebellum South.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Artesian Well (here, next to this marker); Thomas Edison, Chemist (a few steps from this marker); Three Famous Friends And Their Quest For Rubber (a few steps from this marker); Edison’s Bayon Tree (within shouting distance of this marker); The Lay of the Land (within shouting distance of this marker);

Photographed by Brandon D Cross, August 1, 2025

2. Edison Botanic Research Laboratory Marker

Mina Miller Edison (within shouting distance of this marker); Meet Two of the Most Influential Men of the 20th Century (within shouting distance of this marker); Experimental Plots (within shouting distance of this marker). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Myers.

Also see . . .
1. Thomas Edison, Henry Ford, and the Search for Rubber in Florida and Savannah. (Submitted on August 22, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
2. Origins | Edison Botanic Research Corporation & Lab Part I. (Submitted on August 22, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)
3. Edison and Ford Winter Estates. (Submitted on August 22, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida.)

Credits. This page was last revised on August 23, 2025. It was originally submitted on August 22, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. This page has been viewed 111 times since then and 32 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on August 22, 2025, by Brandon D Cross of Flagler Beach, Florida. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.